The British Columbia government is expanding a targeted enforcement program provincewide and across the Lower Mainland in a bid to curb street disorder and persistent retail crime.

The province announced the rollout of the Chronic Property Offending Intervention Initiative (C-POII), which aims to disrupt repeat property offenses through increased police monitoring, enforcement, and tailored release plans.

The strategy is modeled after the province's Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (ReVOII). Officials say ReVOII has led to higher charge approval rates for high-risk offenders and improved overall justice-system responses.

"The Chronic Property Offending Intervention Initiative is an important program that responds directly to what businesses and communities have been asking for as they deal with the impacts of street disorder and retail theft," Terry Yung, Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services, said in a statement.

Under the regional expansion, 365 individuals across the Lower Mainland identified for repeat violent, property, or public disorder offenses will be tracked through 11 dedicated regional hubs.

The monitoring caseload will be distributed across several municipalities:

• Vancouver: 160 individuals across four hubs (80 C-POII / 80 ReVOII)
• Surrey: 80 individuals across two hubs (40 C-POII / 40 ReVOII)
• Abbotsford: 25 individuals through one hub (10 C-POII / 15 ReVOII)
• Chilliwack: 25 individuals through one hub (15 C-POII / 10 ReVOII)
• Langley: 25 individuals through one hub (15 C-POII / 10 ReVOII)
• Maple Ridge: 25 individuals through one hub (15 C-POII / 10 ReVOII)
• New Westminster: 25 individuals through one hub (10 C-POII / 15 ReVOII)

In addition to law enforcement monitoring and coordinated police operations, the initiative provides eligible participants with income assistance and timely intervention programs to address root causes of repeat offending. Provincial officials say the network will strengthen local partnerships and bolster regional police coordination.

For additional context on Minister Terry Yung's priorities regarding integrated public safety and community-based solutions, you can view his remarks on Terry Yung on Public Safety and Reconciliation. This video highlights his background in law enforcement and his approach to public safety programs in B.C.